The new has emerged that Leeds pop band Kaiser Chiefs rejected the services of none other than David Bowie when trying to finish off some lyrics for a song on their new fan-compiled album, The Future Is Medieval.

Drummer Nick Hodgson in an interview with the News of the World (via NME) revealed that the band contacted Bowie through the famed record producer and long-time Bowie collaborator Tony Visconti hoping to get some inspiration to help out the Chiefs with a troublesome song.

Hodgson said, “Tony texted David asking for his suggestions to finish off a verse and he came up with a couple of lines.

“I’m such a big Bowie fan I can’t believe I’m saying this, but they just weren’t right, so I’ve missed out on a Hodgson/Bowie writing credit. Gutted!”

The song in question is new track Man On Mars.

Hodgson went on to explain how The Future Is Medieval was inspired by the much-derided Oasis album Be Here Now, saying, “We all know that record has loads of problems, but at least it’s got an attitude, unlike the twee and boring folk music that’s so popular at the moment.”

The premise for the new album is that fans can select 10 tracks from a possible 20 at the band’s website, and then download their selection for a price of £7.50 (AU$11.50).The album was available as of June 3.

As previously reported, Kaiser Chiefs will play three Australian dates in August as sideshows for their appearance at this year’s Splendour in The Grass.